Free Tours In NYC

While well worth the price tag, hitting all of New York City's neighborhoods, sights and eateries can put a serious strain on your wallet. But travelers and locals on a budget don't have to stay away from the great outings offered by NYC tour operators. Many are completely free or tip-based, which means you can save that pocket change for one of the City's best pizza slices or for cab fare home after a night on the town. And you thought nothing was free nowadays.

Big Apple Greeter

Get a warm New York City welcome from Big Apple Greeter's team of volunteers (many of whom are multilingual) as they guide you through the City's diverse neighborhoods. You can sign up to request the type of excursion you'd like—the form asks what neighborhoods tickle your fancy and what you're interests are—and you'll be matched up (availability willing) with a local greeter. You might be led on an outing around, say,TriBeCa's Hudson Square, with its industrial buildings and cobblestone streets; or along the Grand Concourse in the Bronx, peering at art deco gems; or to sample the food of your favorite ethnic cuisine. The company's 300 greeters collectively boast extensive knowledge of the City and its best spots.

Central Park Conservancy

Central Park has 80 acres of woodland, 250 acres of lawns and 150 acres of water; trying to see it all without an expert tour guide can be overwhelming. The Central Park Conservancy's long lineup of free tours aims to cover it all (note: the organization also offers a series of ticketed tours focusing on things like "iconic views" and Belvedere Castle). See the most famous attractions, such as Bethesda Terrace and Fountain and Conservatory Water, on the Heart of the Park tour; visit somewhat lesser-known sights like the Harlem Meer on the Northern Welcome tour; or check out European-style plantings during walks around the nearly 80-year-old Conservatory Garden. Offerings change seasonally.

Central Park.Photo: Marley White

Free Tours by Foot

Lace up those walking shoes, and join Free Tours by Foot's expert guides for deep dives into Manhattan and Brooklyn. Taste the edibles of the Lower East Side, Greenwich Village or Chinatown on a food tour (you pay for the eats from your own pocket); check out Harlem landmarks like the Apollo Theater; pop in to the thrift stores of Gramercy; or explore Chelsea and the High Line to get those striking river views. All guides work solely for tips, so the value of each outing is up to you.

The High Line.Photo: Tagger Yancey IV

Grand Central Partnership

See why the neighborhood surrounding Grand Central Terminal is so much more than a transportation hub. Every Friday at 12:30pm, the Grand Central Partnership conducts a 90-minute guided walking tour led by an urban historian. Make stops at the station's Whispering Gallery, discover the secrets of the passageways, gaze at the architectural splendor of the Chrysler Building and visit Pershing Square and the original Lincoln Memorial, among other notable Midtown locales.

Grand Central.Photo: Joe Buglewicz

Brooklyn Brewery and SingleCut Beersmiths

Choose a borough in which to learn about suds-making. Brooklyn Brewery hosts free tours every Saturday that start on the half hour between 1pm and 5pm. (Under 21s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.) Afterward, grab a seat at one of the indoor picnic tables and (if you're of age, of course) purchase beer tokens to sample some of the brewery's wildly popular creations, like them Brooklyn Lager, Brooklyn East IPA and various seasonal quaffs. SingleCut offers a short, somewhat informal tour of its facilities on Saturdays and Sundays, at 3pm and 4pm. Repair afterward to the tap room—or start there, and buy a beer to have in hand while you check out the brewing process.

Brooklyn Brewery.Photo: Malcolm Brown

Village Alliance

Village Alliance
As evidenced by literary icons of the past, like Mark Twain and Edgar Allan Poe, as well as the artists and students today who frequent the neighborhood's coffee shops, theaters and music clubs, Greenwich Village's bohemian vibe has stood the test of time. Discover the area's undeniable charm on a free walking tour sponsored by the Village Alliance. They're run from June through September, but you can always check out the website for self-guided ideas throughout the rest of the year. An emphasis is placed on the social, architectural and historic aspects of the Village, so you'll walk away well acquainted with its one-of-a-kind spirit.

Battery Park City Parks Conservancy

Battery Park City Parks ConservancyBattery Park City encompasses 36 acres of playgrounds, gardens and plazas. Every day, residents and visitors flock to the space for outdoor fun or, in winter, indoor activities—the parks host fitness programs, art exhibitions and hundred of other happenings each year—but to get the most out of this cluster of green spaces, a free tour or two is in order. Typical offerings include organic-gardening walks around Wagner Park, public-art explanations at Teardrop Park and bird-watching excursions around the area (binoculars included). Tours change throughout the year and information generally doesn't become available until April, so check bpcparks.org for the most up-to-date information.